Groundswell, a nonprofit organization focused on building community-based clean energy solutions, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting experienced solar developers to participate in the Southeast Rural Power, Solar for All program. This new initiative aims to bring community solar and battery storage projects to underserved rural areas across eight Southeastern U.S. states—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Through this first phase of the program, Groundswell plans to support the development and construction of approximately 24 megawatts (MW) of residential-serving community solar projects. These projects will vary in size, ranging from 500 kilowatts to 5 MW of alternating current (AC) capacity. Additional RFPs will be issued in the future, with the broader goal of building more than 100 MW of solar capacity before the program concludes. Collectively, the projects are expected to cut electricity costs by 50% for over 17,000 households, while also improving local energy resilience and driving economic growth within rural communities.
Michelle Moore, CEO at Groundswell, “Every single one of these projects showcase rural leadership, strong partnerships with local utilities, and keeping people’s kitchen table priorities at the center of our work. Together, they’ll make electricity more affordable for more than 17,000 families across the Southeast and make the grid more resilient for everyone at a time when our region needs every electron we can get.”
The Southeast Rural Power program is made possible through a $156 million Solar for All grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This funding is intended to support sustainable energy investments that help preserve affordable housing, strengthen local energy systems, and ensure that energy spending continues to benefit the communities where it originates.
Interested solar developers are encouraged to respond to the RFP by submitting their proposals no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 8, 2025. Proposals must include comprehensive information such as project pricing, expected timelines, site-specific details, commitments to local hiring, and other requirements outlined in the RFP document.
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